As a parent who has recently seen his son end his baseball journey it now feels like I can reflect on things somewhat objectively and share the experiences we had. Because I am still involved in the game as a coach and in other ways I often get asked about how to approach travel baseball. There is no one answer to this but hopefully my experience can help give others perspective.
From the moment my son could grip a bat, baseball became more than just a sport for him—it was a passion. While he dabbled in soccer, basketball, and hockey, none of them quite captured his heart like baseball did. Recreational leagues and West Raleigh provided the foundation, but by age 10 he set his sights on something more competitive: travel ball.
Many parents grapple with the decision of when to transition their child into travel ball. After much deliberation, we made the choice to wait until he was 12 years old. Looking back, it was undoubtedly the right decision. It allowed him to mature both physically and mentally, ensuring he was ready for the demands of competitive play. Also, we knew from stories that travel ball is a way of life for the parents of players also and we needed to ease into that.
His journey through travel ball led him to a variety of teams, ranging from national programs like the Dirtbags to large local programs and smaller, community-based teams. What became clear early on was that while the team may have changed, the true development happened outside of team practices and games.
Private lessons became a cornerstone of his growth as a player. Working one-on-one with coaches allowed him to fine-tune his skills and develop a deeper understanding of the game. It was here that he found the personalized attention and guidance he needed to excel.
While larger programs boasted impressive facilities and access to high-profile tournaments, we soon realized that they came at a steep price—both financially and, at times, emotionally. Despite the allure of prestige, it was the local teams that prioritized more than just wins and losses that truly resonated with him.
These teams fostered a sense of family and camaraderie that extended far beyond the diamond. Character development was just as important as skill development, and he thrived in an environment where respect, integrity, and sportsmanship were valued above all else.
All that being said here are some things to think about when considering starting your player in travel ball or even changing teams once they are playing:
- What time and money commitment are you willing to make to travel tournaments? Even teams that play in-state can mean long drives, hotels, meals, etc.
- Will your player get playing time? Some teams carry 20+ players which means less reps per player.
- Is your player willing to play multiple positions or do they want to specialize? For example, coaches are always running out of pitchers and if your player is willing to help out that may get them a spot on a team.
- What type of team environment do you want? Some teams are willing to put up with players and parents who have a bad attitude because of the player’s talent. Others were formed for “daddy ball” as a way to get their sons preferential roles on a team. Still others emphasis character development and teamwork over wins
Hopefully this article has provided you with some perspective and things to think about. Some of the best memories we have from the last seven years were from travel baseball. And I am not just talking about amazing plays in the field or huge tournament trophies. It was about the entire experience including talking on the car rides, hanging out at hotels and more. Hopefully you and your player get to make your own memories.